Apple Constraining Certain Products To Third-Party Retailers

An inventory analysis from Target shows that Apple will be constraining some products. Products affected include the entire iPod lineup, iPad mini, iPad mini 2, iPad Air, and iPad Air 2. This points to a color refresh in the iPod lineup, leaked in an iTunes update. The iPads are most likely be removed in favor of the latest iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3. This seems to confirm a lot of recent rumors.

Image Credit: Target Employee

Original iPad mini No Longer Sold By Apple

Apple has removed the listing for the original iPad mini. This means several changes to the iPad lineup. Now, the cheapest iPad is the iPad mini 2, starting at $299. The original iPad mini was $250. This also means that all iPads, mini and regular sized, have a Retina Display. The original iPad mini didn't have one. The next-generation iPads, and possibly a large iPad, will debut later this year, around October.

Phorm Brings A Physical Keyboard to iPad, Without The Bulk of a Keyboard

Tacitus Technology has unveiled Phorm, a case that has a screen protector that can add texture to the screen like the texture of a physical keyboard. It's pretty hard to explain, so you should check out the video below. It's only available for iPad mini. You can pre-order it here.

Apple Releases New 'The Song' Ad For The Holidays

As is tradition for them, Apple has released a heartwarming holiday advertisement. This year, it's called "The Song". It depicts a girl finding a present her grandmother sent to what seems to be her grandfather. The present included a note to the grandfather noting how they couldn't be together for the holidays and a record with the grandmother singing "Love Is Here To Stay". The girl secretly learns the song on multiple instruments and learns the lyrics. She then combines her song with that of her grandmother's. She leaves the audio file on an iPad mini with a note that says, "A Duet, Press Play". The grandmother listens to the song and looks at the pictures that were left with the iPad mini and the note. The memories bring the grandmother to tears of joy as the granddaughter watches from above.

Although last year's holiday advertisement, called "Misunderstood", has been taken down by Apple, you can watch a re-uploaded version in the embed below. Credit to Matthew Miller.

iOS 8 Is Now Installed On 63% Of Active iOS Devices

Two months after its release, Apple has reported that iOS 8 is installed on 63% of devices. This slow install rate is possibly due to major bugs disabling HealthKit, cellular data, and Touch ID on some devices, but these have been since fixed. In addition, users who are reluctant to upgrade due to storage limitations should consider upgrading through iTunes. Be sure to read my tips on upgrading an iOS device before proceeding.

Apple Store Gift Cards Based on iPhone Colors

I know this is pretty insignificant, but I find this kind of cool. In addition to Apple having a completely independent gift card display at my local grocery store, the Apple Store gift cards are based on the colors of the iPhone 5c, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, and the iPads. The custom priced gift card is based on the iPhone 5c's white color. The $25 gift card is based on the iPhone's silver color. The $50 gift card is based on the iPhone's space gray color. The $100 gift card is based on the iPhone's gold color. It's an interesting Easter Egg. Check out the pictures below.

The Silver, Space Gray, and Gold iPhones Respectively

The Display for the Gift Cards

iPhone 5s/6 Gold Gift Card

iPhone 5c White Gift Card

iPhone 5s/6 Silver Gift Card

iPhone 5s/6 Space Gray Gift Card

AT&T Doesn't Allow Apple SIM Users To Switch Carriers

One of the nice things about the new iPads is the new Apple SIM. This allows you to pick a carrier after you buy an iPad and switch without buying a new iPad. Usually you'd have to buy an iPad with a specific carrier with no way to switch carriers. AT&T has disabled the ability to switch carriers after choosing AT&T. An AT&T spokesperson said "it's just simply the way we've chosen to do it." It's clear they did it so you can't change carriers and support the competition.

Image Credit: John Legere

Pre-Order Your iPad Air 2 or iPad mini 3 Today!

Today, the new iPads are available. Be sure to pick up yours as soon as possible if you want one. Also, there are new prices for these iPads. You can pickup a shiny, new iPad for the low, low price of $249 (for a 16 GB iPad mini). Take it a step up for an additional $50 for an iPad mini 2 (16 GB). Another $100 ($399) will get you an iPad mini 3 (16 GB) or an iPad Air (16 GB). Finally, another $100 will get you a 16 GB iPad Air 2. Head on over to the Apple Online Store to get your iPad by the end of next week.

iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3, Apple Pay, and New Macs: The Scoop

Today, Apple announced a bunch of new stuff. Let's do a quick review, shall we?

iPad Air 2

iPad Air 2

The new iPad Air 2 is 18% thinner and features Touch ID. The display has the least reflective display of any tablet in the world and has a resolution of 2048 by 1536. This iPad also has a 64-bit architecture and an A8X chip. The camera also has a long overdue update with an 8 megapixel camera and burst mode.

iPad mini 3

The iPad mini 3's spotlight is on Touch ID. While it has a 64-bit architecture, it only features an A7 chip. In addition, it still has a 5 megapixel camera. A small update for the iPad mini 3, but it's not like the camera is an essential feature on the iPad anyways. Try it if you just want to browse and shop on the web.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay will come out on Monday (along with iOS 8.1). More vendors have been added along with more banks and compatible apps.

iMac with Retina 5K Display

iMac with Retina 5K Display

Wow. Where to begin? This makes the Mac Pro look "so five minutes ago." 5K! That's a lot of pixels. About 14 million pixels. But this Mac isn't just focused on looks. It can have up to 4 gigahertz with your i7 processor, 3.5 teraflops of computing power, and 20 gigabits of speed with Thunderbolt 2.

Mac mini

This Mac mini costs $100 less than its predecessor. It's now $499. It has some minor tweaks including new Intel Core processors, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Thunderbolt 2 ports, and all that good stuff.

What I Could Dig Up: iPad, Apple Pay, and New Macs

Tomorrow, Apple will announce some iPads, the release date for Apple Pay, and some updated Macs. Here's a quick roundup of what we should expect to see tomorrow.

iPad

• Touch ID
• Apple Pay for apps
• Not available in stores
• A8X Processor
• 2 GB RAM
• New Gold Color

Apple Pay

• Some form of release date
• Release will be very close to event date

Macs

• 27" iMac expected to come with Retina Display
• OS X Yosemite expected to be released soon
• Price: Free
• Available on Mac App Store
• iOS 7 for the Mac (Yay?)

The event starts tomorrow morning at 10 AM (PDT) and is available for streaming on Apple's website.